The accused passenger has posted bond, and his attorney told a Las Vegas judge that he plans to plead not guilty.
LAS VEGAS — A United Airlines flight bound for Newark, New Jersey, returned to Las Vegas after a flight attendant reported seeing a message about hijacking the aircraft, leading police to arrest a 25-year-old passenger on a terrorism-related charge.
Dante Milne, of New Jersey, was arrested after United Flight 1681 returned to Harry Reid International Airport on Saturday, Oct. 24. Police allege a message sent during the flight referred to hijacking and crashing the aircraft. Milne later told investigators he did not intend to hijack or crash the plane and characterized the exchange as poorly worded banter with a coworker, according to an arrest report cited by local news organizations. His attorney told a judge Tuesday that Milne plans to plead not guilty.
The Boeing 737 was carrying 150 passengers and six crew members from Las Vegas to Newark Liberty International Airport when the security concern arose. United Airlines said the flight safely returned to Las Vegas to address what it called a “potential security concern.” Airport officials described the incident as a passenger disturbance, and no injuries were reported. The Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating.
According to the arrest report, another passenger received a message from Milne that included a statement about hijacking the aircraft and crashing into that passenger’s row. A flight attendant told investigators she saw part of the incoming message on the passenger’s phone and considered it a possible security threat. She alerted the lead flight attendant, and the cockpit was later notified. Authorities have not alleged that Milne tried to enter the cockpit or physically take control of the aircraft.
The arrest report said the crew followed cockpit security procedures and did not confront Milne during the flight. Air traffic control communications reported by news organizations also indicated that the passenger did not know the aircraft was returning because of the reported message. The crew kept the cabin calm while the pilots arranged to return to Las Vegas, according to the report.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers met the aircraft after it landed and detained Milne without incident. Police booked him into the Clark County Detention Center on an allegation of making a threat or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism. The charge is an allegation and has not been proven in court. Milne has since posted bond and was out of custody by Tuesday, according to court records cited by local television station FOX5.
Milne told detectives he had consumed alcohol at an airport bar before boarding and planned to sleep during the flight, according to the arrest report. He said he fell asleep and woke to learn that the aircraft was returning to Las Vegas. Investigators said Milne acknowledged exchanging messages with the other passenger but initially said he could not remember what he had written. When questioned about the alleged hijacking message, he described it as banter between coworkers and denied intending to seize or crash the aircraft or harm anyone.
Milne also expressed remorse about the disruption, according to the arrest report. His explanation does not resolve the criminal case, which will be decided through the court process. His attorney, James Gallo, appeared on his behalf at a Las Vegas Justice Court hearing Tuesday and told the judge that the defense intends to enter a not guilty plea. Milne was not present after having been released from custody.
The incident also disrupted the trip for the other passengers. United said the flight could not immediately continue to Newark because the crew reached its duty-time limit after returning to Las Vegas. The airline said the flight departed again Sunday morning. The aircraft completed the trip without any reported injuries connected to the security incident.
Early reports about the episode provided fewer details about the alleged communication and said authorities had not publicly released its full context. The later arrest report added investigators’ account of the message, the flight attendant’s observations and Milne’s statements to detectives. Those claims remain allegations in an active criminal case, and there has been no finding that Milne intended to carry out a hijacking.
The FAA’s investigation remains active. Milne is due back in Las Vegas Justice Court on Jan. 5, 2027, according to local court reporting. No additional charges or findings against him had been announced as of Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated October 27, 2026.